Welcoming back alumni for Homecoming, the No. 23 Grand Valley State University football team (6-3) took down Michigan Tech University (7-3) 18-15 in a close match on an overcast Saturday afternoon.
After deferring the kick, GVSU started on defense. On the Huskies’ opening drive, it was the Lakers’ run defense that took control, holding Michigan Tech to negative three yards on six rushing attempts.
Forcing a punt, the Lakers’ offense marched down the field in stride, setting up in the red zone. On first and 10, senior wide receiver Griffin Shinrock stretched out for a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Schuster near the right side of the end zone for a touchdown with 4:29 left in the first quarter. The extra point by redshirt freshman kicker Jay Cady was missed, keeping the score at 6-0.
Taking back the ball, the Huskies’ offense used its strong pass game, putting together a powerful 75-yard drive. Held to a fourth and two from GVSU’s 13-yard line, Michigan Tech’s momentum was stripped away with a fumble on a 13-yard run. Sophomore linebacker Torian Wyatt picked up the fumble in the end zone and brought the ball out to the four-yard line.
The Lakers and the Huskies went on to share a series of punts throughout the second quarter, which GVSU eventually broke. On first down and 10 from Michigan Tech’s own 10-yard line, Wyatt was able to pressure Michigan Tech’s quarterback in the end zone. Intentional grounding was called on the play, which gave GVSU a safety, making the score 8-0 Lakers.
Wyatt emphasized the importance of teamwork in maximizing the Lakers’ chance at victory.
“We went out there to play our game,” said Wyatt. “Coach had some good calls. We all worked as a team and really did our jobs. Opportunity showed up, (we) just capitalized on it.”
Getting back the ball following a GVSU punt, Michigan Tech strung together another strong drive. This time around, Michigan Tech was able to score with an eight-yard rushing touchdown.
In the blink of an eye, however, the Lakers drove the ball to midfield on their next drive. A 20-yard strike from Schuster to junior wide receiver Kellen Reed set up shop for GVSU at the 23-yard line. On the next play, a 23-yard pass play from Schuster to Reed scored a touchdown for the Lakers. With an extra point by sophomore kicker Mathew Bacik, GVSU extended its small lead 15-7 with 2:26 left in the second quarter.
“We got the ball to (Reed) in space,” said Schuster. “The play before, we got the look we practiced for, and we just executed it. It was a great play design for both those plays and a big score in that (close) of a game.”
After a defensive battle in the third quarter, which led to only punts from both teams, GVSU finally put points on the board with a 33-yard field goal by Bacik with 12:46 to go in the fourth quarter, giving the Lakers an 18-7 lead.
On their next drive, Michigan Tech made their way down to the Lakers’ 36-yard line. On third down and 10, Michigan Tech’s quarterback rushed up the middle for a 25-yard touchdown. The Huskies successfully converted a two-point attempt, cutting the lead to 18-15.
Needing to run out the clock, the Lakers were stuck on third down and 10. Junior tight end Evan Furtney caught a crucial 14-yard pass completion from Schuster to get GVSU the first down. With the win almost secured, the Lakers got one more first down to put away the game as junior running back Derrick Woods rushed for 30 yards to the 10-yard line of Michigan Tech. Victory formation ran out the remaining clock, and started the celebration for all alumni and fans at Lubbers Stadium.
“I think homecoming (was a good) opportunity to try to play our way into the tournament,” said head coach Scott Wooster. “Shout out to Laker Nation. A lot of people wore the black and blue, and built this place. Because of the struggles early this year, the struggles right in the midseason, I think it was an awesome opportunity to show who this football program and this football team can be.”
Now 6-3, the Lakers will play their final game of the regular season against Roosevelt University (2-7) on Saturday’s Senior Day at 1 p.m. in Lubbers Stadium.
